The National Liberation Museum 1944-1945

Keywords for this place of interest

The National Liberation Museum 1944-1945

The National Liberation Museum 1944-1945 is located on the site where on 17 September 1944 paratroopers from the 82nd U.S. Airborne Division landed as part of Operation Market Garden. The museum holds a large collection of material concerning Operation Market Garden, the battle for the Reichswald and the Second World War in its broadest sense.

The National Liberation Museum 1944-1945 is located on a historic site. During Operation Market Garden paratroopers from the 82nd U.S. Airborne Division landed in the area where the Museum is situated. From here the U.S. troops started their advance towards the bridges at Grave and Nijmegen. The capture of these bridges would open up the area between the Maas, Waal and Rhine rivers to the Allied forces and have a profound impact on the further course of the war.

The area was also the stepping stone from which Operation Veritable, aimed at clearing the Reichswald forest, would commence (February 1945). By that time the road leading up to the museum had become the frontline separating the Allied and German forces. Operation Veritable opened with the heaviest artillery bombardment seen on the Western front during the Second World War. Over half a million shells were fired at the German front line. The German forces holding the first of three defensive lines were completely stunned and their resistance crumbled within two days. But after the initial success the operation quickly bogged down. It would take two weeks before Allied forces cleared the Reichswald.

The National Liberation Museum 1944-1945 has a large collection of material concerning Operation Market Garden, the battle for the Reichswald and the Second World War in its broadest sense.

Tourist information

For more information and the opening hours please visit: www.liberationmuseum.com